Pomodori
1 New Orleans Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC, 29928
Pomodori Menu
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Address :
1 New Orleans Rd
Hilton Head Island, SC, 29928 - Phone (843) 686-3100
- Website https://www.gopomodori.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Ashley J.
Great staff, great service, cozy atmosphere and exceptional food. Best Italian/meal in general in hilton head and I have been coming to the island for over 10 years! Robin was wonderful, can't wait to return!
(5)Richie S.
Food was excellent but the service was not what we expected. The server didn't have a good idea of the menu availability and came back twice to tell my fiancé that they didn't have an ingredient for an item on the menu. To top it all off, they brought her out the wrong entree and then made her wait while her parents and I ate. No apology was given for the mixup so I will not be going back. I will wait until I get home in RI and will be going to Siena on Atwells Ave to cleans my pallet. By the way if you do come here and Boris is your server, please turn around and go some where else.
(2)Nancy T.
This was a great find. Would not have come here if not for Yelp. Wonderful food and great service by our waiter, Boris. Just off busy 278, unpretentious storefront still had nice ambiance.
(5)Elizabeth B.
I would have never tried an Italian restaurant on Hilton Head Island during our annual beach vacation if my friend hadn't recommended Pomodori to me. Wow! AMAZING! It was definitely one of the best Italian meals that I've ever had. Plus, the service was great, particularly from our head waiter Boris. My group of six started with three appetizers - Calamari Fritti (fried calamari with a tomato sauce), Zucchine Fritte (fried zucchini with a light and flavorful lemon aioli), and Pepe Farcite (roasted yellow pepper filled with homemade sausage and topped with tomato sauce). All of them were very tasty, but my favorite was the Pepe Farcite. Our terrific waiter Boris recommended ordering the pepper appetizer, and I'm so happy that we did. The homemade sausage was absolutely incredible and truly made the dish. The entrees were even better than the appetizers! I sampled all of the entrees at the table, but what I ordered - Gnocchi al Pomodori with a Polpette (house made ricotta gnocchi with a delicate tomato sauce topped with a meatball) - was my absolute favorite. The gnocchi made with ricotta tasted smooth and buttery, and the sauce was flavorful. I loved adding the meatball to the dish since it did really need a protein component. Someone else in the party ordered the gnocchi with Salsiccia (house made sausage) and really enjoyed the spice that the sausage added to the dish. My other favorite entree was the Lasagne di Vegetale (house made pasta with eggplant, zucchini, spinach, and tomatoes). My brother-in-law - who ordered the dish - commented that he didn't like lasagna, vegetarian dishes, or Italian food... yet loved this dish. The flavors blended well together while the vegetables remained perfectly al dente. Finally, though we were completely stuffed, we decided to order "one of each" dessert. Yes, the six of us had the Tiramisu, Torta di Mascarpone (cheesecake with cherries), Espresso Torta (triple chocolate espresso brownie with vanilla gelato topped with cayenne caramel), Cannoli, and Torta di Limone e Ricotta (lemon pound cake topped with a raspberry sauce). All of them were delicious, but our favorites were the rich and decadent Espresso Torta and the spongy and fruity lemon and raspberry pound cake. If you couldn't already guess, I highly recommend this restaurant and can't wait to return to Hilton Head Island in 2016 to dine here again.
(5)Doug C.
Holy crap this place was delicious. My wife and I seek out great Italian food, and this place was as good as it gets. I had a bucatini with meat sauce, and my wife had linguine. Both were absolutely fabulous. If you want a good italian meal in Hilton Head, go here. Don't wait (unless they aren't open yet).
(5)James T.
Amazing gnocchi (even if the sauce wasn't my favorite).
(4)Summer B.
Awesome service and awesome food! A must visit in Hilton Head! I must recommend the gnocchi and fried green tomatoes. D-Lish!
(5)Dilly D.
Such amazing food from this tiny new Restraunt. Only 11 tables so you definitely need a reservation. If you are familiar with HHI, this tiny Restraunt is located in the spot that was formerly "It's Greek to Me" (which moved to a larger location by Coligny plaza). We had the fried mozzarella appetizer and it was delicious. 3 pieces perfect to share. We also tried the daily special appetizer, zucchini with goat cheese and it was so delicate and scrumptious. For our main course, I had the vegetable lasagna. The pasta was so thin, obviously homemade pasta. A nice light dish. Yummy! Hubby had the chicken piccata and that was great too. No leftovers. No children's menu. For kids, Half orders were offered on some pastas. Linguini and meatballs was enjoyed by my little foodie. Highly recommend. The prices are fair, but it's not cheap. Waiter Boris was very nice.
(5)Tony S.
As in past visits, the food was excellent as was the service. Gnocchi was outstanding, appetizers were great. The loss of one star occurred because of the weird seating in a corner with uneven tables. It was strange and not comfortable. Otherwise, a wonderful restaurant.
(4)David T.
Resiling: fantastic, Malbec: delightful, the bread before the meal: save your appetite, calamari: not worth getting... However the marinara dipping sauce is awesome, shrimp with linguine: a wonderful redeemer after the bread and calamari, spaghetti and meatballs: sooo good! BUT wear your moisture wicking clothing because it is sooo HOT in this place! Boris our server was wonderful!
(4)Ray M.
Great Italian, as good as ay restaurant from Boston to NYC. Reservations are recommended, locals love this place, it is small but the size doesn't matter IT's THE FOOD!!! The special salad (Kale & Brussels Sprouts), Calamari and the homemade sausage stuffed pepper, were a great way to start. Dinner was just a great, Veal Masala, Gnocchi, orecchiette con sasiccia, plus the homemade meatballs were flavorful and cooked to perfection. Ending the meal with Cannoli's & the lemon/Ricotta tort was wonderful. The wait staff (Boris) was on point all night, never needed to ask for additional drinks, bread or water. This will be on our list when we return to HHI.
(5)Mark O.
Our go to place on Hilton Head when we want a great meal and has remained a quality place with great service for two years! Flavors are impeccable with quality ingredients. The ravioli with sausage and yellow peppers with two kinds of tomato sauce was great at the restaurant as well as leftover. Orecchiette with Italian sausage and broccolini was perfect and not oily. Tiramisu (good but a little cold) and espresso brownie with vanilla gelato and caramel was killer. Service was spot on and felt like we were part of the family. Nice wine list also!
(5)Gabe R.
Food and wine were great. Waitress was knowledgeable and attentive. House made ravioli was delicious. Outdoor seating is available. The only drawback is that it is located at the end of a strip mall. I'll still give it 5 stars though.
(5)Chelsea W.
I have this thing about when I travel, I have to try Italian and/or pizza in the area. This place was what every positive review Yelpers said it was. Totally recommended! The gnocchi was amazing and the expresso brownie was, well... wonderful!
(5)peter v.
Excellent food, posted pictures of same. Just became locals here in Hilton head Island and we will become a local here.
(5)Joe P.
Food was great. Stopped in without a reservation. Pretty busy so we sat outside. They were attentive for the most part considering we were the only table outside. I had the tuna special and it was very good. Wife had the chicken Parma it was ok - there were two chicken filets on top of each other so the bottom piece had no sauce or cheese on it. Overall it was very good food but regret having sweated it outside. Eat inside and make reservations is the motto here.
(3)Josh T.
Amazing dinner. Chef Amanda is personable and omnipresent. Food was delicious. We had the homemade gnocchi with bolognese sauce (a combination of two menu items) and it was the best I have had. Must give this place a try. Reservations are necessary.
(5)Bonnie W.
Fabulous Italian on HHI! Truly some of the best pasta outside of Italy. The special pappardelle with sausage was amazing and the eggplant dishes were so very fresh. The meatballs were authentic and Cesar salad was great. . Service by Gwen made it even more delightful. Make sure to ask for main room in restaurant.
(4)Mike M.
We decided to try a new Italian place on our annual family trip to HH. Pomodori was the perfect choice. We have a 15 month old, a niece with more food allergies than I have time to type and both my wife and mother in law are allergic to MSG. The staff were able to accommodate them all. I cannot say enough about the staff. Now on to the food. It was fantastic! Appetizers, pastas and deserts all were great. Give this place a shot. You won't regret it.
(4)John L.
We brought a party of 13 for dinner. Everything was fantastic. You can't go wrong here.
(4)Norman G.
Great Italian. We found this restaurant through Yelp, and we're not disappointed. Only seats available were at the bar, and there was a reason. The restaurant is in an out- of-the-way shopping center, and does a great job of filling all their tables. Portions are very generous and staff very friendly. If what you are looking for is not on the menu, they will try to accommodate. All four of us thoroughly enjoyed the meal, and the left-overs the next day for lunch. Thank you Yelp, because we ate there based on your reviews.
(5)Sarah O.
What a great surprise when we chose Pomodori on a whim. The hubs was having a craving for Italian (on a beach vacation? I know!) and we are pretty snobby about our food. Fabulous meal - start to finish. I had Mama's ravioli. This dish was a special of the night and seriously, I've considered going back since our meal 2 nights ago and begging her to make it for me again. (Begging is totally not beneath me when it comes to great food.) Also, I normally don't go for ravioli when I choose a pasta dish. It often feels too delicate (I like a heartier pasta) and it's hard to balance too many flavors (or textures) with the filling. It can feel very one note. Not here. This pasta was seriously a symphony of flavor - peppers, homemade sausage, the most delicate yet robust tomato sauce. An absolutely beautiful, slightly sweet, totally heartwarming dish. Hubby had chicken francese and was very happy as well. (As you can tell I was too wrapped up with ravioli-love to care as much about his happiness.) Great wine selection, lovely owners, sit at the bar and let Robin take care of you. We will be back for sure!
(5)Christy C.
THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE I HAVE HAD AT A RESTAURANT HANDS DOWN. We went here based on a recommendation from a local bartender at the Salty Dog Cafe. We called at 5pm and made a reservation for 8:15pm (they recommend reservations). We arrived promptly at 8:15 and were asked to wait by the bar for our table to be ready. After 5-7 minutes a very friendly waitress asked if we would like to wait at a table outside and she would bring us some drinks while we waited. And waited. And waited. At 8:35 I went inside to see what was going on. Apparently the table they were going to seat us at still had people that would not leave. While your average restaurant would look at this as something out of their control, the waitstaff at Pomodori looked at this as an opportunity to let us know just how much they valued our business and they were going to do everything they could to make up for the fact that they couldn't control the people still lingering at our table. Here is what they did: 1. Brought us several appetizers outside 2. Refilled all our drinks while we were outside 3. Once inside (around 8:45pm) we had EXCEPTIONAL service 4. The continued to refill our drinks, wine and all 5. They offered us several desserts And while I expected to pay for everything we ordered ourselves, at the end of it all the COMPED OUR ENTIRE MEAL! I was shocked! They had gone above and beyond to make the dining experience exceptional. The food was also amazing. I ordered the pork loin marsala but took the option to substitute pork for veal. The olive oil they use on the salad and serve with their break is delicious and from an oilerie right here in Hilton Head where you can purchase your own to take home. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for any occasion. It is rather small so I would make a reservation ahead of time.
(5)sharon O.
The menu is very limited. Went there last night at 7pm and they had run out of capers, and said they could not make Veal Francaise or piccata because the cook had trouble making the sauce! Does not sound like any Italian restaurant I'd recommend. I had the Veal Parmigiana. Worst I ever had. Veal was chewy, over breaded and the pasta it came with was flooded with red sauce inundated with whole garlic slices. Husband had the bolognese dish with vegs. and it tasted odd and not too good. Our waiter was great though and hope he finds another restaurant.
(2)Nicole L.
I met chef Amanda at a crossfit class last October when we went to hhi for our wedding. She told us about pomodori, and we made reservations and fell in love with the place (she also comped dessert for us that night). Fast forward to tonight, we are back on the island for our one year anniversary, and wanted to see if this place was as good as we remembered. We made a reservation, and I promptly told my husband the wrong time. We showed up at 7:00 for our 6:00 reservation time. They were packed, but the hostess was so sweet and made room for us at a small table by the kitchen...even though it was our fault! Our server was Lawrence, and he was attentive, funny, and helpful. I had the gnocchi w/vodka sauce, hubby had the orichette (which was one of the tastiest meals I've sampled in a long time). Also had the sausage stuffed pepper, which is usually not my kind of appetizer, but it was awesome! Overall, this place was better than I remembered. We will be back.
(5)Betty A.
Waitress great Yellow pepper stuffed appetizer amazing 2 different Veal dishes over breaded bland ( reminded me of frozen veal pre-breaded) Such a disappointment - Been here before and was not the same quality.
(3)John F.
Nate was great and had special of the day made exactly how I wanted it. Food was top notch and place was setup nicely. Definitely recommending and coming back. Can't say enough good things about Nate!
(5)Lori G.
We came here after being turned away by Pazzo down the street. Totally owe them a big "thank you" for sending us away. The staff at pomodori was friendly and welcoming. The inside dining area was full, but we were offered immediate seating on the deck outside. Our meals were all fresh and piping hot. The vegetable lasagne was very good. The pasta and vegetables were the main focus. The cream wasn't overpowering at all. The chicken parmigiana was a huge meal and easily could have been shared. The chicken was so tender you didn't even need a knife to cut it. Penne alla vodka was outstanding. You can't go wrong with pomodori. Great and friendly staff. Menu covers all types of eaters and they are more than willing to accommodate special requests.
(5)Jeanette C.
What a wonderful atmosphere. The service was excellent and the food delicious. We had the pleasure of meeting the chef and owner who was so sweet and welcoming.
(5)Jeff P.
Thanks for a great family dinner.We arrived with 9 adults at one table and 6 children at an adjacent table. The service and food were very good to excellent.From appetizers to deserts,we kept them busy . Looking forward to our next visit.
(5)Holly R.
Don't be intimidated by the location in a small strip mall. The small intimate setting was wonderful inside. They only have 11 tables inside, so I would suggest a reservation. We were promptly seated at the bar without a reservation, since no tables were available. This turned out to be a plus, as we had great conversation about wines and wine regions with the bartender. He is very knowledgeable! Bruschetta was a great app. We both ordered one of the dinner specials for the evening, and were pleased with our selections. He had the swordfish, and I had the ricotta ravioli with San Marzano tomato sauce and homemade sausage. Both were generous portions, and we loved both! Overall, would highly recommend this quaint little Italian restaurant!
(5)Joe M.
This restaurant was recommended by an Italian friend and I figured he'd know where to find the best Italian food. We were not disappointed! We had the Chicken Parmesan, gnocchi, and their daily special of ravioli. All dishes were fantastic.
(5)Barry O.
Excellent dinner and service. We had apps, wine, main course and desert and it was all great. I had the home made sausage orrichetto (spelling?). Excellent and will have again. Yelp does not steer wrong!
(5)Brad B.
When I come to Hilton Head for work, this is my go to place for a great meal. Tonight not only was the food fantastic as always, but the service was outstanding. When I arrived, there was a private party going on and to my disappointment I thought I would not be able to eat here tonight. By time I made it to the parking lot the hostess came running outside insisting that I sit at the bar to eat. I was blown away with the service to accommodate little old me! I will continue to come here every time I am in the area and recommend this 100% to anyone reading this.
(5)Kristie B.
Service was amazing. Extremely attentive and knowledgable about the menu and the wine list. Excellent recommendation on the Italian blend! Our favorite appetizer was the fried zucchini. We also had the calamari (very fresh) and the pesto pizzetta (my personal favorite with goat cheese and tomatoes, yum!). Dinner for five offered many delicious options, but the seafood dish was a favorite! Shrimp, scallops, mussels in a spicy and zesty light tomato sauce... What could go wrong? It was delicious!
(4)Gregg G.
Very interesting menu & varied wine list. My wife & I both had a salmon special with my entree adapted as gluten free as I have celiac disease. Very well prepared & delicious! Our server Hanan was knowledgable & delightful. An outstanding dining experience. We'll definitely return on our next visit to HHI.
(4)Erica Y.
Pomodori is the real deal! If you're looking for some delicious and authentic Italian food, this is an excellent choice. We recently went here for dinner, upon recommendations of close family friends, and thoroughly enjoyed our meal and experience. We made our reservation prior to arriving because of the excellent comments regarding this place. We were a party of 8 adults of all ages (all of Italian descent and quite picky when it comes to Italian food in restaurants) and had quite a variety of dishes among us. In true form for our family, we all tasted each other's entrees and agreed that we could not pick a favorite because they were all so good. Our service was wonderful, with a very attentive, friendly, and humorous server who noticed our table wobbled when he was filling a wine glass, so he and another employee came out and insisted on putting something under the table to level things out. We hadn't even noticed but truly appreciated the consideration. We had a few bottles of wine among us and enjoyed the selection. They wine was poured equally among all of us and always refreshed, along with water and other beverages, at appropriate times. Our appetizer choices included the calamari, zucchini, salads, and some of the specials. Each was incredible, and we even ordered a double of one of them as soon as it hit the table because we knew it would be a favorite. Some of the entrees were the vodka sauce shrimp, the orecchiette, the veal, the chicken with orzo, and some of the specials. All were full of incredible flavor, very fresh, and completely delicious. When leaving, a few of the gentlemen in our party personally thanked the chef, Amanda, for a truly wonderfully experience. I cannot say enough good things about this place. We typically avoid chain Italian restaurants and search for these small, intimate places with really incredible food and a great atmosphere. Pomodori is exactly that kind of place, and we will certainly return each time we are back in Hilton Head. I knew as soon as I ate here that I needed to spread the word so people in Hilton Head know what they are missing if they haven't experienced Pomodori yet. Everything about our experience here was complete perfection. If you like great, authentic Italian food in an intimate and enjoyable atmosphere, definitely go to Pomodori on your next visit to Hilton Head - you won't regret it!
(5)Jerold R.
Very good service and excellent food. Four different dinners and all were delicious. Pasta very fresh and cooked exactly right! Nice wine selection, but didn't have room for desert.
(5)Sherry H.
This place came highly recommended and did not disappoint. Very friendly staff and prompt service. Food was excellent.
(5)Greg G.
The scallop special was fantastic. Waiter was friendly and very attentive to the entire table. We were a table of 11 with a mix of adults and kiss. No kids menu but the kids cleaned tier plates. Highly recommend!
(5)Danielle M.
We had dinner here tonight and was extremely disappointed. We've been to Michael Anthony 's which is excellent, but due to yelp reviews gave this place a try. Appetizers weren't great, caprese salad had plum tomatoes and 2 small pieces of mozzarella. They ran out of their special app at 5:45, we settled for a weak second. Entrees were just okay, we've been to pizza places with better pasta. My sis and I were looking forward to the veggie lasagna, the pasta in it was soggy, and It was cold. So fresh is not their specialty. We come to hh every year, we will not be visiting again.
(2)Delon F.
Don't be fooled by the strip mall pulling up. The inside of this place is very nice. It's a very simple, quaint place that's perfect for romantic dinners or family gatherings for big dinner. We went together just the two of us. We ordered the calamari to start and I had the penne vodka with shrimp. My wife had the pesce de mare with mussels. Everything was very good. Would definitely come back and highly recommend for really good Italian cuisine
(4)Lindsay N.
GO! You won't be disappointed. Everything from start to finish was fantastic. The service was extremely attentive and personable, timely and the food was absolutely outstanding. My brother in law, who is Italian, said the rigatoni beat his Grandma's, and..well. that is HUGE. Three of us got the penne alla vodka with shrimp and it was to die for. My mother had the Mediterranean chicken and loved it. Lastly, we tried coffee at the recommendation of our waiter who said it was the "best on the eastern shoreboard"- that might be a stretch but it was excellent (and we are coffee snobs :). We had the pleasure of meeting Chef Amanda at the end of our meal, who shared with us that she studied culinary arts in Italy. Well, it was evident!
(5)Vicky P.
The restaurant itself was very tight and crowded. It was a same day reservation for us. The hostess called me back and made our reservation to sit at the bar. The service was great, the bartender was attentive and very friendly. The house wine was good and affordable. The food was ok, It was nothing memorable. It was better than a chain restaurant but not by much. Overall, I would likely return and give it another try but I will try other Italian places on the island first.
(3)Elaine N.
Great spot! We enjoyed dinner last night including the shrimp pasta special , the orecchiette with broc and sausage and the seafood stew-soup and tiramisu for dessert. Nice wine list too. Wow! What a treat including the outstanding service. The seafood was lovingly prepared and so tender in both dishes, the pasta fresh and the tiramisu some of the best ever. Also try the zucchini with aioli...tasty too. Was that chef Amanda bringing out the plates? If so, sorry we did not grab you to say nice work :-)
(5)Susan M.
My favorite restaurant in Hilton Head! I visit my family a few times a year and always have to come here for the best italian food on the island. Its very small so you need to make a reservation.
(5)Carla W.
Very cool old school Italian style pasta playing with my best friend Amy and I loved it. Had the calamari and healthy salad for appetizers. .the veal special and little pasta with sausage and broccolini was amazing!! Our server Gwen was so great and laid back and sweet love her!! Highly recommended
(5)Lance H.
With all the expensive Italian restaurants on the island, you get the best bang for you buck at this place. The bolognese is amazing and Peroni drafts are just $3. You will be stuffed after your meal but be sure to order the chocolate brownie to go. You will thank yourself three hours later.
(4)Andrew I.
Incredible meal. A must-go if in the area. Fresh, quality Italian. Best we have had in a while and visiting from NJ, that's saying a lot. Don't miss this one.
(5)Robyn N.
We ate on the patio and had a wonderful dinner. They Customized the menu to our dietary needs yet were still true to the wonderful authentic flavor profile of his regional restaurant.
(5)M L.
Word apparently is spreading around Hilton Head Island about this enormous diamond in the rough. Easily found on this relaxing island stands a restaurant with a menu perfect for anyone. The service, fantastic! The hospitality welcomes you from beginning to end. The flavors are consistent and worth a wondering fork among the dishes of your party. You will want to try everything. Don't miss out...make a reservation. You will soon be sitting at one of the best restaurants around. Fully worthy of 5 stars. Yuuum! Ciao for now!
(5)Paul C.
The decor is average to below average... The service was fine. The food, however, was terribly disappointing. We started with calamari which was very good except for the out of the can Hunts tomato sauce. We were served good bread with plain olive oil which was of a very low quality and slightly rancid. The main course was a zuppo de mare sauce over tagliatelle. The one scallop was good, the five shrimp rubbery and over-cooked the two clams overdone and the sauce seasoning as subtle as a freight car. Pretty pricey for average to below average food.
(2)Salvatore C.
Thank you yelp for leading us to a great dinner, This place is fantastic there is nothing to gripe about and thank you Quentin for the pick of the wine for my wife. We made reservations as we read on the review. dinner was fantastic the egg plant app. Was great. The Marsalla my wife had was perfect. And the tiamarsu was perfect even though we made fun of it In a redneck mason jar it was fantastic.bravo pomodori!!!
(5)John R.
This is a hidden gem that you should find on your next trip to the area. Went with a group last night and sat outside which was great. I had rigatoni bolognese which was outstanding. Everyone in our group said that their meal was excellent.
(5)Scott M.
If you want a somewhat pricey very tasty Italian meal, this is a great spot. The ambience is a bit tight but seems in line with a customary Italian place. I thought the noise level was good for a busy restaurant but there was a room for improvement perhaps with some soft fabric on the walls or under the tables (they did that at Redfish and it worked amazing) Food was good no doubt about it. I ate the special which was a sausage and pasta dish that was really really good and my wife had ...something else that I also liked. If there was a 3.5 I would've picked that.
(3)Lexy S.
Service, food, ambiance, experience was flawless! Will definitely return. The eggplant napoleon was to die for and the gnocci was like heaven.
(5)Collin K.
The service was good,we had the stuffed pepper, orrichetti , and the veal Marcella ... Excuse the spelling,... Anyway the stuffed pepper is ok it's , just what you think it is a stuffed pepper with ground beef and sausage ... It's ok but not worth 10 dollars .. Really 10?? The veal Marcella you get 3 little slices of veal a few bites of side pasta of choice.. Not enough pasta for the veal btw and the veal are very small..... So I got the veal it looked liked little pork chops and the outside layer of the veal was bad.... The texture was so slimy and it was cold when we got it....oh yah this entree is 24 dollars what!!!!!!????? Whatever As my girlfriend and I shared a plate we shared the veal entree then waited 15- -20 minutes for the orichittie which was 16 dollars.... Thank god but why weren't both entree brought out at the same time ????at that point I wanted to cancel it , them finally it came out... The the orrichetti was the only thing good and reasonable .. All in all I'm never coming back not when I get cold veal for 24 dollars lol and a stuff pepper for 10 dollars no Ty ill pass
(1)Michael R.
Yum Yum YUM! As close to NYC Italian as it gets on Hilton Head Island. This great cozy little restaurant knows what they're doing. Get the gnocchi, it's awesome. The breaded eggplant appetizer is also delicious. The bolognese could of had a little creamier sauce, but it was still good enough for bread dipping. If you want Italian while on Hilton Head Island, this is the place to have it.
(4)Andy D.
My wife and I ate here on a weekday night and the food was excellent. Service was great and we'd certainly recommend it to anyone. Restaurant was clean and the staff very friendly. I'd definitely go back again.
(5)Lisa M.
Was very good! Dined there last night with my boyfriend and we had a very tasty meal. The waiter was very polite and very attentive. I had the escarole and meatball soup and it was absolutely delicious. I had veal as well. An excellent choice!
(4)L G.
We went for an early dinner and ate at the bar. Fantastic veal with a side of very good pasta . My husband had a special of soft shell crabs and a spinach side . We were clean posters. The restaurant is very small so the tables for two are in tucked spaces. The bar was great. We will add this restaurant to our must visit list.
(5)Adam S.
Another night on Hilton Head, another good dinner. We had reservations after reading the great reviews on Yelp. Upon entering, you notice just how small and narrow this place is--the hostess stand isn't even in the front of the restaurant, which is somewhat awkward. Anyway, we were seated in the back of the restaurant near the somewhat noisy bar. I should point out that it was VERY cold, so you might want to bring a sweatshirt. Water was brought to the table, as was bread and olive oil, which was warm and delicious. We ordered bruschetta for the table, and I ordered scallops for dinner. The bruschetta plate only had 3 pieces, and there were 4 of us, which was a little awkward. Luckily, one of us didn't eat it. It wasn't bad though. My scallops came out shortly after, and were very good. They had a nice sear on the outside and were softer on the inside. The leek salad that came with it was a bit nasty--just tasted like onions. Others also enjoyed their dishes. Service was good, our waitress was personable and efficient. The food was good, too, and that's what matters--I'd come back.
(4)Lisa L.
Anybody got a cigarette? I don't even smoke, but I feel the need to end this awesome, sensual experience with something! Actually I did - fantastic cafe Americano coffee plus tiramisu. But I get ahead of myself. This restaurant was "all that, and more." We arrived without a reservation, and got two seats at the bar. I love sitting there, you get to talk to the locals. This time, the "local" was the brother of the owner. He told us about how they are originally from Michigan (Yay!) and moved to Hilton Head as a family, his sister was always a great cook, but went to Italy for further chef's training and has become fantastic. He was right! I had the calamari salad for an appetizer, it was tender and marinated with other vegetables. Then there was Nona's (their grandma's) Italian wedding soup, with homemade meatballs and a very flavorful broth. My main course was the veal with smoked salmon and capers plus pasta. I never thought about the combination of veal, capers and smoked salmon, but it was unbelievable! My husband had a pasta shell dish with homemade sausage and broccolini and cheese which he (we) loved! It was a privilege to have the brother of the owner sitting next to us telling us all about the food, the family, the spirit behind the restaurant, the love put into everything. It truly showed! They have had a full house every night since they opened. The owner was readily available also, as was the sommelier. Our wine was a viognier from Australia, which paired well with everything I ate. Every bite was better than the previous one, the atmosphere was perfect, I was in heaven! Your trip to Hilton Head is not complete until you have been to Pomodori! I am sure Nona is so proud!
(5)Mary H.
Excellent service. Wonderful meal. Friday night and we didn't make reservations. Place was crowded. We should have and yet hostess was so accomadating. Set up a table outside while we waited only 15 mins for a table. Will defiantly return
(4)Doug M.
When the Chef takes the time to say hello from the kitchen when you arrive, you can expect good things. When we ate at the bar... (Never made a reservation) Robin was fantastic regarding suggestions, and service... Small place 100% recommend. Especially if your on a Harley!
(5)T.J. H.
The food was amazing and the service was just as good. Very very good.
(5)Ed C.
I don't typically give 5 star reviews but I'd be lying if I gave this restaurant anything less.The atmosphere is warm and friendly..The decor is not bold and artsy like other venues you may have visited but the food and service more then make up for it. .Service was very attentive. Calamari fritti fresh and tender, not chewy. I had the il Pollo Francese. The portion was large and delicious .. My wife sampled the Mussels in a white wine sauce, loved it!...The restaurant may be a bit difficult to find for someone unfamiliar with HH.. Located at the end of a small line of retail shops across the street from Reilleys Liquors. at the north end of Orleans Road.. It was our third trip to Pomodori's and most certainly not our last..
(5)Miriam S.
Amazing! We got a to-go order so didnt stay in restaurant but wish we had. Very cool atmosphere with outdoor seating. Waitress was very accommodating to dietary desires and offered suggested alterations to please. Everyone was extremely happy with their dishes and talked about going back next year!
(5)Sue S.
My husband and I had a wonderful dining experience. We opted to eat at the bar which was nice but be prepared that it can be chilly as the air conditioning vents seem to be directly over head. A light sweater or jacket would be helpful. We had the bruschetta as an appetizer and loved the big chunks of tomato. It was fresh and tasty. They serve warm Italian bread with extra virgin oil from The Oilerie! My husband ordered the mussels with the spicy red sauce-he asked for extra spicy and that's what he got and loved it! They were also very generous with the mussels. I ordered the gnocchi and added the meat sauce! OMG was that amazing! The best gnocchi I've ever had. I highly recommend this restaurant and will be going back before we have to head back home.
(5)Cassie M.
I was a little nervous at first. When we walked in an older gentleman seemed very put out that we did not have a reservation. The place was pretty empty. However, the waitress was amazing and we were given a table. I ordered the gnocchi. It was simple and perfection. It was cloud light. My hubby ordered the penna alla vodka. He said the shrimp was tender and succulent. The food came out fast and it was a great value. They did not have a published kids menu, but my son had penna Alfredo. It was awesome. The sauce was obviously homemade.
(5)Kent K.
You MUST eat here! Get the gnocchi! The chef, Amanda, is committed to good food and service. MAKE A RESERVATION! Don't be one of the sad people we saw walking out of the restaurant because they were full.
(5)Joan N.
Very good. I had the Lasagna made with veggies. I tried my husbands egg plant that was piled high with cheese,tomatoes and fresh basil. Really good. Great service.
(5)David K.
Our family had a wonderful dinner tonight. Yellow pepper stuffed with house-made sausage and a crepe stuffed with ricotta and spinach and a chunky tomato sauce were special appetizers and were perfect. Insalata mista with fig vinaigrette dressing superb. Entrees were marvelous: pork loin with mushrooms and risotto cake, gnocchi, linguine con gamberi--great. I've never had broccoli rabe cooked so well. Try this out!
(5)David S.
Let me preface this review by saying that I'm a foodie, and for years a business traveler that ate at high-end restaurants all over the globe. I currently own a small independent donut shop/cafe and I really look for and appreciate good service when I dine. I am not easily impressed by a restaurant, but when I am I become a loyal fan. I'm now a loyal fan of Pomodori. I rarely write Yelp reviews, but this restaurant experience made me very happy, so here goes... Tucked almost invisibly into a strip mall that is anchored with a Mattress Firm and has a few vacant spots, Pomodori looks like nothing from the outside. There are a few tables on a wood deck and your typical "this is going to be a low-quality restaurant" look. Inside the restaurant is well appointed. They use pieces of slate with names of reserved tables written in chalk. The restaurant is clean. The staff is friendly. The kitchen seems impossibly small for the number of tables they have to serve. We had reservations for a 8 top (7 adults and a 2.5 year old) at 5:30--the only reservations available for the day. When we arrived the restaurant was nearly empty but soon filled up. In the quiet back dining room they sat us at a comfortable table and presented us with a menu and the day's specials. Many ingredients (like the sausage in the Orecchette) are homemade. The charming waitress asked us if we wanted to put in an order for my son right away--that's a relief as anyone with a toddler knows you're not going to get a moment of calm until the children's food is out. Within five minutes my son had a dish of pasta with the restaurant's "delicate tomato sauce." I know this isn't the hallmark of a great chef but my picky-eater son literally scooped up the sauce with his hands in an effort to eat it. He loved it and we had to get a second bowl. A few moments after his food dropped our apps came, mine was a calamari salad with a perfect amount of acidity and balance. My wife had a delicious beet salad and we shared a stuffed pepper special with the table. One of our party has an allergy to shellfish, but she was in love with the sound of the special which involved mussels in a white wine and garlic sauce. The kitchen HAPPILY made the dish without the mussels and subbed sausage for her. Meanwhile my wife couldn't decide between the homemade gnocchi that is her favorite pasta and the fettuccine Bolognese, which is her favorite sauce. So they happily made her gnocchi Bolognese. Entrees arrived and we were blown away-gushing about the food. My orecchette had broccoli rabe and sausage and was perfect. Everyone shared their food and everything was spot on. Flavors balanced and perfect. When we left the restaurant was completely packed, it's clearly doing nicely. In fact, I'd bet they'll outgrow this space soon. When we were finishing off some people were waiting to be seated and it looked a bit like the service was having trouble keeping up with the volume of orders. (Who would think that a restaurant would be packed on a Monday night?) As I left I stopped by the pass to compliment the chef while holding my son. I do this a lot at great meals, but usually I get a quick "thanks" from the kitchen. I thanked the chef for a great meal, apologizing for interrupting her mid service. "Oh honey, thanks!" she said "that means so much. And your son is adorable." Seriously. Great staff, great food, and a chef that's not surly?! I wish I lived here.
(5)Larry D.
Couldn't get a reservation at my 1st choice of restaurants on HH, so called Pomodori and they were booked as well, they asked if I would sit at the bar and since it was just me and my wife, sure. This is a small restaurant with 12 tables and about 8 at the bar. You would pass this place by its at the end of a strip mall and looks like a store front. We were happily surprised when we walked in the place is quaint and staff was very nice. We sat at the bar and Nate the bartender was very nice. This place only serves wine and beer, as Nate explain the bar is small and not enough room for a full bar let alone its a small place so a bar crowd wouldn't work. I had the eggplant appetizer, very good. Wife had the calamari app special which was fresh, tender and made cold with a nice vinaigrette dressing. She loved it. For mains I had the veal scaloppine topped with smoked salmon, Nate thought I would enjoy the complex flavor profile if this special and he was right different and full of flavor.My Wife had the Zuppa di Pesce with house made pasta, very delicious she wanted a spoon to finish the juice after she was done. Excellent flavor. We ended with the marscapone cheese cake with a raspberry balsamic glaze very light and wonderful flavor. Great meal and very surprise by this hidden gem in HH. Will be back to try other items.
(5)Mark B.
Pomodori is very good. We had the gnocchi as an appetizer but were surprised that it is a ricotta cheese gnocchi and not a traditional potato gnocchi. The sauce was light and a little bland. I had the sausage pasta with the broccoli but the pasta was not great and was not a red sauce. This may have been my fault in not understand the menu. Home made sausage was very good. My wife got a halibut special that was excellent. Service was good. Overall a very good reastaurant but not traditional Italian which I prefer. I am giving it four stars because everything was well done and onviously the chef can cook. Menu is creative. A little pricey. Make sure to ask waiter for a decriiption of what you are ordering so you are not surprised. Also MUST make a reservation.
(4)Eddie G.
We went here last Friday. We had no reservations, and went strictly on my wife's craving for Italian. The restaurant is discreetly located in a small shopping strip. When we walked in, the place was completely packed. The owner was very nice and told us she would do her best to try to get us a table, since most of the seating was already reserved for the rest of the night. After a glass of wine, we got seated in 20-30mins. The food. Boy is this place worth the wait! Our app was a eggplant capresse, and it was great. The balsamic reduction was insane. But then came the really good stuff. I ordered the bolognesse and it was excellent. But my wife ordered the gnocchi. I usually don't like gnocchi. Not this case. Excellently prepared, and the sauce was delicious. The gnocchi just melts in your mouth. Just a great, great, great meal! Highly recommended, it's our new favorite in HHI!!!
(4)Michael T.
The goat cheese crepe appetizer was amazing as was the zuppa peshe, (sp?) entree. Too bad both were specials and not available regularly. Amazing personal service. The best seafood and the best Italian I've had in years. Make sure you get reservations a day ahead of time. It was worth it.
(5)Aaron R.
Excellent service, great food, and a nice atmosphere. This restaurant is tucked away in a strip mall just off of Hilton pkwy. It seems, at first glance, to be a cheap hole in the wall. Once inside, it is apparent that this place is making classic Italian food in a simple yet classy joint. The tables are nothing too fancy, a black table cloth with a piece of brown butcher paper angled on the top, which is replaced after each party leaves. The plates, decor, and table settings were very simple, but they made for a comfortable and still elegant atmosphere. It is a very small place, which means that they probably do not have an option other than to have the server station and pass through to the kitchen in plain sight of the first dining area, the one downfall of the dining experience. It makes for quick service, however, since the food is close to the tables. The menu is simple as well. There are a list of maybe 8 antipasti, 10 main courses, and 4 desserts, if I remember right. Then there is of course the two specials of the day. In my experience, a small and simple menu means high quality and fresh food. I wont be eating something that has been sitting in a freezer for 3 weeks because no one orders it. Our service was the best part. Lawrence was our waiter, and he did his job like he was a professional. He was good at explaining what things were, he was friendly but still professional, and he was formal but not stuffy, if that makes sense. I watched him handle a table of 8, ours was only my wife and I, and he showed that he is good at working a crowd, handling questions, taking orders, and overall providing good service and representing his business. He was quick with drinks, the on-tap Peroni is also another plus, and he was good about checking on the table. Pomodori is lucky to have him. The bus boys or food runners were also very attentive, and the other wait staff even stopped by to see if we needed refills (Lawrence had already asked and was on his way). The restaurant clearly stresses customer service. I ordered the Pomodori house-made gnocci, with bolognese sauce and my wife had a linguini pasta dish with a garlic oil sauce and shrimp. We had the calamari as an appetizer. The gnocci was light and delicate but still dense like a filled pasta should be. Delicious. The calamari, even though I am typically a little skeptical, was very good. They use a locally sourced olive oil, which was great for bread dipping. I was very pleased with the food, but most importantly the service. We will be back to Pomodori if we return to Hilton Head.
(5)Bridget H.
Delicious! Got a last minute reservation for 2 at the bar on a Saturday night, great service, decently priced beer&wine and excellent food. The appetizer special that evening was sausage stuffed roasted yellow bell pepper and was excellent! Service at the bar was perfect - attentive without being annoying. Would definitely recommend and would love to return!
(5)Christina B.
Wonderful meal, super friendly staff. This chef sure can cook! Everyone in our party loved what they had ordered. I ordered the homemade gnocchi bolognese and it was perfect. The gnocchi melted in your mouth and was light and divine. We found the calamari appetizer to be ever-so-lightly coated and fried leaving the rings tender and not rubbery. Wonderful! The vegetable lasagna was amazing. You just have to try it for yourself. Words cannot do it justice. The chef's dishes are light, fresh and not overly complicated. Just lovely Italian as it should be. We will be back.
(5)Mark M.
What a pleasant surprise Pomodori was for our anniversary dinner! Given that it's in a strip mall, we were uncertain, but the Yelp reviews had us curious. From the moment we walked in we were greeted by several friendly faces and a chorus of hellos. Our waitress, Tatiana, was friendly, well-spoken, and knowledgable about the wines, dishes, etc. As for our food selections, everything was homemade, fresh, and delicious. We shared fried zucchini that was lightly breaded with a lemon aioli dip and a crap special for appetizers. The vegetable lasagna and ricotta gnocchi (add the sausage made in house) were divine. The dessert, espresso triple chocolate brownie with vanilla gelato and cayenne caramel drizzle was beyond compare. One dish was better than the next. This is saying a lot considering we rarely eat Italian outside of New York City or northern NJ where we live. We will definitely be returning on our next visit to the island.
(5)Megan K.
My family went to Pomodori's while vacationing in Hilton Head several weeks ago. I found the restaurant through Yelp and it had good reviews. Although the service was good, the food had little taste and even the water tasted funny! There were four of us and we each ordered a different dish but only my mother-in-law thought her food was decent. I feel bad rating it low since the waitress was very sweet but quite honestly, I have no idea how they have so many great reviews on Yelp.
(2)Tess S.
Thank God for great and reasonable Italian food on Hilton Head Island. The chef delivers all of the dishes herself and the staff was lovely and wonderful. I ordered the homemade lasagna which was delicious. It was made with grilled vegetables and wonderful handmade pasta which was paired perfectly with the spicing and sauce. I was lucky to be offered a taste of the gnocchi which was the best I have ever had. Unlike other versions, this was light, not heavy, and melted in your mouth. Get in soon because this place is new and it's popularity is going to take off quickly.
(5)D B.
Walked in no reservation (our mistake) and was told we could either have an indoor table for an hour or an outdoor table no time limit. The time limit annoys me however due to the heat we took it. As the host even if is the case you should never open up with this line to a paying customer! The blond hostess really needs to remove the pole from her butt as we then experienced hovering for the next 45 mins waiting for us to leave. Food: salads were warm not crisp and fresh as u would come to expect and pasta was sitting in a tub of oil and tasteless. As for the chicken expected 2 cutlets minimum but for the price I received one small one and what looked like a half cutlet purposely cut in half to move the table more quickly. The other thought was it was left over from the night before and rather throw it out they reused it. There are better places in HHI to drop $100.00 which have better customer service and better food. Do yourself a favor an look elsewhere. Carrabas is right down the road!
(1)Don S.
It was good maybe even really good but just not great. Maybe we had a bad choice but it was a special suggested by the waiter for me and the wife and neither of us were impressed.
(3)Rob P.
Great food and a great atmosphere. The restaurant was crowded and busy, but in a really good way. If you like small/family/local-feeling restaurants, this place is for you. The owner was working her butt off to make sure everyone in the restaurant was happy. It made me tired watching how hard she was working. I had an orchiette pasta with sausage. All the pasta is homemade and was great...and the sausage was amazing. I would HIGHLY recommend going to this restaurant the next time you're in Hilton Head. It was one of those restaurants where you get the feeling that everyone working there cares A LOT about the place...and they had great food to match.
(5)Mark R.
We've spent many weeks at Hilton Head but just went to Pomodori's for the first time. Didn't make reservations, but they made room for us at the bar. The kitchen is right up front and I had a nice conversation with several of the kitchen staff while we were waiting for our spot at the bar, and Tina, our server, was a great lady. The Calamari salad was special, and the pour on our Chianti was very generous---so a great start. We live in the DC area so we're used to quality Italian...trust me, this house Bolognese is simply superb. The homemade sausage in the stuffed pepper was excellent. Top notch establishment, we'll be back for more!
(5)Brock S.
Amazing!!!!! We didn't make a reservation bc didn't realize it was a necessity and most things on the island don't take reservations and the owner/ chef still accommodated us and getting us bar seats! The food and service were perfect! I will be returning!!
(5)David H.
We decided at the last minute to give Pomodori a try. We did not have a reservation but they were able to seat us at the bar. Our meals were wonderful. As good as any Italian we have had in NYC. The bar tender was very personable. From what we could hear from the nearby tables, the waiters were very friendly and helpful. The only thing lacking was the restaurant being located in a 100 year old building with small streets and traffic outside.
(5)Gregory C.
Excellent homemade Italian food! The sauces were excellent. We had a stuffed pepper appetizer they was great. The gnocchi were wonderful. The service was unbeatable.
(5)Cheryl B.
I read the reviews and had to try Pomodori to see if it was as good as advertised. It was!! First off our server Lauren knew the specials inside out and there were many. Our first course was the calamari which was lightly breaded and not tough with a light marinara sauce. I ordered the beets with goat cheese and my partner ordered a Caesar salad. My beets and goat cheese were fabulous and he said the next time he is ordering the beets too. Then for the final course he had one of the specials, Red Snapper on Orzo Primavera, and I had the Gnocchi. Both were fabulous, but I can without hesitation say the Gnocchi was the BEST I ever had. On our way out we made a reservation. Once was not enough! However, I do know that there is no way I would last even one night in the restaurant business...there were ignorant diners surrounding us.
(5)Will S.
I recently moved to Bluffton from Richmond Virginia and have been on the mad hunt for an amazing Italian place. The search has ended and Pomodori is it. So much flavor and affordable! I can't wait to come back.
(5)Rob M.
This is a hole in the wall located at the end of dark strip mall. We were greeted by a very cheerful guy who turned out to be our server. The menu is fairly limited for an Italian restaurant but there were some specials he read off. We ordered the app special a sausage stuffed yellow bell pepper which was really very good and their Romaine salad as starters, both large and thought about canceling our entrée since they just about filled us up. Fortunately our ordered entrée was a split Rigatoni Bolognese which they split for a small charge, turns out one split would have been plenty for the 2 of us. The pasta was fresh and delicious and we had enough to enjoy for lunch the next day. The prices were at least $2 or $3 lower than other Italian restaurants in the area. So it was a very good value too . It is definitely worth making a couple of u-turns in the dark looking for this place.
(4)Nancy W.
After 6 days in HH our meal here might be the best of the week. Good wine choices, and great pasta. The lasagna was incredible along with the gnocchi and orchietta with broccolini and sausage. The soft shell crab special, in season, also fantastic. This place was recommended to us by a local waiter. He did not steer us wrong. The owner and chef, Amanda, greeted us at the end of our meal. We shall return!
(5)Debbie B.
Just had dinner last night at this little gem relatively new to the HH dining scene. The food was outstanding. We both had the homemade butternut squash ravioli with homemade sausage in a cream sauce. It was divine as were both appetizers. It is clear that everyone at Pomodori is committed to providing an excellent dining experience. Try it; you will not be disappointed !
(4)Tony D.
Meal was good, service was good, but most of specials were 40% more than what is the average on the menu and not listed. Also if you ask for extra sauce ( example 1 tablespoon more) it will cost you $4 extra. Success has gone to their head.
(3)Abby R.
Really good. Tina, the hostess, fit me in to a packed restaurant at the "chef's table", a 2-seater in front of the kitchen and the thoroughfare for the restaurant. No worries, I was glad to be inside, until I realized that it was freezing - AC turned up all the way, and many patrons asked for it to be turned down - it was very cold in the dining room. Service was OK, I never heard any specials but all the waitstaff work together to make sure you have what you need - nice to see. The food was fantastic - I had the cioppino, which was full of mussels, squid, beautifully cooked scallops, and several tasty shrimp. The tomato broth had good spice, and the crusty bread was great to sop up the sauce. Since I skipped a starter, I splurged on dessert - sweet cherries in Barolo wine with vanilla gelato. It was outstanding. The only off thing in the meal was the bread - it was OK, but had a weird texture. The restaurant was packed on a Monday night, and everyone seemed to be enjoying their food, with a lot of shout outs to Chef Amanda as they left the restaurant. A great place.
(4)L M.
We've been going to HHI for 20+ years & have grown accustomed to a lot of good, not great restaurants. This year we were thrilled to come across Pomodori based on a recommendation from a friend who lives on the island. Definitely don't be put off by the location - this is a great little gem of a restaurant. What we loved at our table of 5: poached calamari salad ( a special for the night), bruschetta appetizer, Gnocci was very tasty & the tomato sauce was just amazing, veal parm special, Orecchiette & cherry panna cotta. Only misstep of the evening was the pork - a tad bit overcooked. Service was outstanding. Great wine list (they are beer & wine only). Reasonable prices. We will absolutely be back here! One note - I have small children & would most likely not bring them here - I did see high chairs in a hallway - but for me - I'd leave them at home. Definitely make a reservation - the restaurant is not that large. They do have outdoor seating - but we preferred the indoor space.
(4)Chris W.
Had another great experience there last night. The food was amazing as always and very well priced for the quality and quantity. Make sure you make a reservation!
(5)Alyssa E.
Just finished dinner here with my Italian mother and even more Italian grandmother so we all have very high standards when it comes to Italian cuisine, and unfortunately were disappointed with our meal. We started with the zucchini fritte which was thinly sliced zuchinni dipped in a light batter and fried. The coating was soft, not crispy, and peeled right off the zuchinni when trying to eat it. It was served with a lemon aioli which had an overpowering lemon flavor. My Granmother ordered the veal Parmesan with a side of linguine. The veal was good, however the linguine was cold when it came out. We informed our waiter and she immediately brought out a fresh side of hot pasta. My mother ordered the scallops which came with a small fennel salad. It was good but not seared well and slightly overpriced considering it only came with 4 scallops and was around $26. Finally, I ordered the orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe. It had no sauce, but instead was served in more of a garlic broth, it was very flat. The sausage did not provide any additional flavor, and without a sauce all I tasted was garlic. Needless to say I did not finish it. With all our disappointment we decided to cut our losses and skip dessert.
(2)Valerie B.
Good and service were excellent. And with an 82 year old Italian mother who liked it as well, you know that says it all.
(5)Richard M.
Great food. Attentive, friendly staff. Not a big place or fancy but excellent menu.
(5)Lisa I.
We ate at Pomodori this evening! It was fabulous. The food is amazing, the service is wonderful and the atmosphere is great! I highly recommend eating here!
(5)Penny A.
It has been a month since we ate here and we are STILL talking about it. It was an exceptional meal and a good story to tell. First off, the food: Outstanding. Everything had the right seasonings, textures and flavor combinations. I've listed what we ordered at the end of this review. The food was worth every penny. The service was swift, collaborative and attentive. Chef Amanda Russ (and her adorable mother!) made us feel so welcome. So here is the story: We did not make reservations and when we walked in, another reservationless couple (who had been waiting) was being seated at a small table for two by the hostess stand. We were almost turned away when the hostess realized a reservation has going to be running a little late and they could squeeze us in- as long as we would be very time conscious (we had a little over an hour). I was thrilled because I had been watching all this delicious food coming out from the kitchen and my heart was set on trying it. Unfortunately, the other couple overheard that we, too, would be able to get a table. They threw an outright hissy fit at not getting to choose which table they wanted and the man was loudly complaining that we didn't have to wait like they had. But Mama Russ took it in stride, apologized, tried to explain what happened and ultimately, wished them a nice evening. I was impressed at her calm in the face of some tacky, tipsy tourists. I also learned that reservations are critical. If you are interested, we ordered the Angeline pinot noir, insalata mista (like a mixed salad with delicious fig dressing), lattuga romana e parmigiano (a lemon caesar), melanzane napoleone (fried eggplant with mozzarella and basil - may be the best eggplant I have ever had), rigatoni alla bologna (you could taste every vegetable and spice perfectly), gnocchi pomodori (so delicious, I tried to buy the recipe!), ciliegia con barolo (amazing sour cherry reduction over gelato) and the espresso torta (incredibly rich and the caramel was perfect). I may hop in the car, drive 5 hours and eat there again right now. THAT's how good it was.
(5)Susan B.
Excellent! The bolognese was delicious, so was the veal. The special appetizers were also great and the brownie dessert was the best.
(5)Larry S.
Service was great! Food left a lot to be desired. It was flavorless and unimaginative.
(3)Bruce B.
We went to Pomodori based on Yelp reviews and as usual Yelp was right on. Even to the point of "You need a reservation here!" We did get in, but had to sit at the bar. We weren't super hungry, but had the bruschetta appetizer anyway. tomato and basil stacked as high as it could be. Truly a wonderful experience. I had the rigatoni bolognese and it was done perfectly. The rigatoni was al dente and the meat sauce was thick. MsD had a plate of pasta that was seasoned with olive oil and I was sure glad i got to taste it. The meal wasn't overly expensive and the restaurant stayed full the whole time we were there. This is a can't miss treat on the island. Be sure you get here!
(5)James C.
We had heard this place was very good. We called for reservation and they accommodated 2 of us on 30 minutes notice. The food and service were excellent. We,ll be back to HH in a week and plan to bring our entire family of 10 which they have already said they can handle.
(5)Laura C.
I can't say the food was bad...but I had a horrible experience with our server. We dined with a child who has a dairy allergy...which I always inform the server of immediately when ordering her meal. We ordered her a dish of macaroni and plain marinara sauce. Within 5 minutes of eating, her throat became itchy. Long story short..ended up in ER and had Epipen administered to her. Before leaving we questioned server and were informed "next time you should let your server know how serious of an allergy it is." Spoke to manager the next day...very apologetic and sympathetic to what happened and refunded the dinner. If going with any special/serious dietary needs, please be very specific.
(1)Melissa T.
Superb food and great service. We showed up (5 of us) with no reservation for dinner, but we were not turned away. They seated us on the patio, which was great, almost like our private little dinning area. Everyone was pleased with our appetizers, calamari and bruschetta, as we were with our entrees. I will definitely be back again.
(5)Rob M.
The owner went above and beyond to make all diners feel welcome. Had a fig salad with a hot (spicy) balsamic reduction. Made with figs from a neighbors fig tree! Slightly cramped and slightly noisy but, again, exceptionally inviting family operated business. We will be back on our next visit to HHI.
(5)J H.
It would take multiple visits to get the fifth star, but one visit was good enuf for four. I will be brief and to the point. Really good cuisine, excellent service, terrific value. We dined there last week. I liked everything I tried. All the other diners in this smallish restaurant seemed satisfied. Admittedly a bit nervous as we walked by several vacant shops in this small shopping venue to arrive for our reservation. Waiter steered us right on wine and food. Made me think of Charlies a little bit at it's original location, before it moved to a fancier building. Will go back for sure. Should not be missed. When the check came I felt it was a fair deal...great food appropriately priced (which doesn't mean cheap, just means we didn't feel taken advantage of). We are fans.
(4)Ruth W.
Best eggplant dish I ever had! Great atmosphere. Reservations are a must, seating is limited.
(5)Joan H.
I know that I am in the minority in my rating but after dinner last night I will stick to the two stars. Had a reservation made last week which didn't seem to show up in their book but we got our table anyway. On to the food, calamari was dry and chewy, and chilean seabass special was also dry. It took forever to get our salads - how long does it take to make a salad, We would have walked out except we had talked another couple into going there. They have dined there previously a couple of times and said that they won't be going back.. The place was packed with tourist who probably don't care.
(2)Susanne S.
Excellent food and service! We had the gnocchi with meat sauce, lasagne, linguine, and the veal parmigiana special; they were all delicious! The calamari and tiramisu were wonderful as well. We will definitely return!
(5)Tom S.
Awesome "real" Italian. Friendly service, wine list includes Italian wines. Small cozy atmosphere, some homemade pastas and very interesting desserts. I'm very picky with Italian restaurants and this is one I will go back to.
(5)Michelle S.
You could tell they were trying hard but they just seemed to fall short. The fried calamari was tender but all the breading fell off. The fried zucchini was good. The house salad had too much vinegar and not enough oil. The chicken francese was tender but again a little too tart, a pat or two of butter to soften it would have made a world of difference. The bolognese was good but slightly watered down perhaps by not draining the pasta enough. The orecchiette had too much garlic but the broccoli rabe was tender and not at all bitter. We also asked for an extra plate and they offered to split one of the entree then charged for it. Of course many establishments do this but it is stated on the menu, here there was no mention of it. The service was only o.k. The server was not knowledgeable about the menu or the wine list and could not pronounce most items on the menu.
(3)Mitch S.
We dined here last night - we didn't have reservations but they were able to accommodate us anyway. Best Italian food I've ever had in HHI! Skip Michael Anthony's and go here instead. Great staff and food!
(5)Kathleen R.
Best meal in over a decade of trips to the island. Our family of four found everything excellent from the appetizers to the desserts. It is a small place so reservations are the way to go. Our server was attentive but not overly so, and the owner personally made sure everything was spot on. The gnocci really is delicious and the scallops were perfectly done. Our daughter the picky eater even commented how good it was! Loved the bolognese sauce.
(5)Brian M.
We had a fantastic meal at Pomodori last Friday. All of us were so impressed with this wonderful Italian Restaurant, which in our opinion is second to none. Having eaten on Arthur Ave. in the Bronx, Little Italy in NYC and in the North End of Boston, we can honestly say that Pomodori surpassed these great locations. Amanda was just the nicest person and her family and staff made us feel so welcomed and appreciated. If you have to wait for a table, it is well worth it. Our party of four enjoyed Eggplant Napolean, Orriechetti with home made sausage, pasta Bolagnese, a special veal parm, and an out of this world Lasagne which Amanda prepares daily. Our waiter was incredible and we were made to feel quite special by Amanda, who wanted everything to be perfect. It was!! After only seven weeks in operation, this restaurant delivers Italian delicacies. Amanda serves the meals and you can feel her pride and love for what she does. Her time studying in Sicily was well spent and as a result Hilton Head has one of the best Italian restaurants that you can find anywhere in the country. Make a reservation and prepare to be amazed and delighted by what this wonderful family has created for you. Brian and Connie Morin Werthersfield, CT
(5)